Japan: World's oldest person Kane Tanaka dies at 119, hoped to stay healthy until 120

NHK quoted officials of Fukuoka Prefecture, western Japan, as saying that Kane Tanaka, who had been living in an elderly care facility in Fukuoka City, died on Tuesday of last week at a local hospital.

Born on Jan. 2, 1903, she was confirmed by Guinness World Records in 2019 as the oldest person living.

1903 was a year filled with historical moments such as the Wright Brothers first attempt at flying and Marie Curie becoming the first woman Nobel prize winner.

Last year, Kane Tanaka at the age of 118 had plans to take the aid of a wheelchair to light the torch relay for Tokyo Olympics, according to media reports.

In the long years of her existence, Japan's oldest soul was not spared of her share of struggles.

One of Kane's sons had been captured at the end of World War II as a military Prisoner of War (POW) in Siberia; he returned back after being released in 1947.

Ailments of varied kinds attacked Kane. She was infected with paratyphoid fever, underwent pancreatic cancer surgery and was also diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Kane, who lived for 119 years and 107 days, is the second oldest verified person by Guiness next to Frenchwoman Jeanne Louise Calment, who lived for 122 years and 164 days. She died in 1997.

In 2019, Kane disclosed her routine of waking up at 6:00 am, and spending her afternoons practising calligraphy and studying mathematics, according to media reports.

According to NHK, her favorite food items were chocolate and soda drinks, and she had reportedly hoped to stay healthy until she was 120.

(With UNI inputs)